HUDDERSFIELD'S crunch Super League showdown at St Helens tonight (8.00) could become a battle of the two clubs' young guns.

Giants coach Jon Sharp has named a trio of teenagers in his squad, with prop-forward Jason Southwell and stand-off Thomas Hemingway joining Bolu Fagborun, who made a full debut on the wing at Widnes last Sunday.

And Saints boss Ian Millward is set to hand a home debut to Super League's youngest-ever player, scrum half Scott Moore, and could also field England Under 18 forward James Graham.

Leigh-born Moore was 16 years, 213 days when he appeared in Saints' 27-18 defeat at Wigan a week ago.

He displaced previous-record holder John Duffy, who was 16 years and 262 days when he made his first appearance for Warrington in 1997.

Graham returned home this week after leading England Under 18s to victory over Australian Schoolboys in Sydney last Saturday.

And with Jon Wilkin ruled out because of a knee injury picked up against Wigan, he could find himself propelled into action tonight, when Millward insists he could field new Aussie centre Gray Viane, even though the former Wests Tigers player only arrived this morning.

Even through his side lost 24-18, Sharp was delighted with 18-year-old Fagborun's display at Widnes.

And with injuries biting hard, the coach could be tempted to turn to top prospects Southwell and Hemingway as he aims to conjure the win which would keep play-off hopes alive.

Southwell, 18, and Hemingway, 17, were earlier this month handed full-time contracts for next season, when Fagborun hopes to combine playing rugby with studying for a business management degree at Bradford University.

"The safety of a young player is always paramount in your mind," explained Sharp, who has a string of injury concerns ahead of his return to Knowsley Road, where he spent two years as assistant to Millward.

"Bolu put in a great display at Widnes, and like him, Jason and Thomas have been training full-time with the senior squad for months.

"The three lads are all advanced in terms of their physique, and they have taken some pretty big hits on the training field, so I'm confident if required, they will do the job."